The Philippine House of Representatives is taking a hard stance against vloggers and social media influencers who repeatedly fail to appear before its tri-committee hearings. Lawmakers warned on Wednesday that individuals who continue to ignore summons may be cited for contempt.
Santa Rosa City Representative Dan Fernandez, chairperson of the House Committee on Public Order and Safety and the lead presiding officer of the tri-committee, stressed that all congressional committees have the authority to summon individuals to testify in legislative inquiries. Failure to comply with subpoenas can lead to contempt orders and possible legal repercussions.
Congress’ Authority and the Fight Against Disinformation
Fernandez underscored that disinformation is a serious national security concern, emphasizing its role in eroding public trust, destabilizing institutions, and manipulating democratic discourse. He warned that Congress would not allow social media to become a breeding ground for misinformation and propaganda.
“Disinformation is a national security issue. It erodes public trust, destabilizes institutions, and manipulates democratic discourse. We cannot allow social media to become a free-for-all platform for deception and propaganda,” Fernandez said in a statement.
“Congress has the authority to summon individuals to testify on matters of public interest. Ignoring lawful orders is a direct challenge to our institution and the democratic principles we protect,” he added.
Who May Face Contempt Charges?
The tri-committee disclosed that several vloggers and social media figures had already skipped previous hearings and could now face contempt proceedings. The individuals include:
- Former Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles
- Aeron Peña
- Allan Troy “Sass” Rogando Sasot
- Elizabeth Joie Cruz
- Dr. Ethel Pineda Garcia
- Jeffrey Almendras Celiz
- Krizette Laureta Chu
- Former PCO Undersecretary Lorraine Marie Badoy-Partosa
- Mark Anthony Lopez
- Mary Jean Quiambao Reyes
- Richard Tesoro Mata
These individuals were summoned as part of an investigation into the spread of disinformation online. The inquiry was initiated following multiple resolutions and privilege speeches in Congress addressing the growing concern over false and misleading information circulating on digital platforms.
A Unified Effort to Combat Fake News
The tri-committee leading the investigation is composed of:
- The Committee on Public Order and Safety (chaired by Rep. Dan Fernandez)
- The Committee on Public Information
- The Committee on Information and Communication Technology
These three House panels have been tasked with assessing the impact of online disinformation and proposing legislative measures to address the issue. The move reflects the government’s growing efforts to regulate digital content and hold content creators accountable for their role in spreading misleading information.
What Happens Next?
Should the mentioned vloggers and social media figures continue to ignore the House’s summons, they may face legal consequences, including contempt citations. This could lead to fines or even detention, depending on the severity of their defiance.
As the government intensifies its efforts to curb disinformation, this case sets a precedent for how social media influencers and digital content creators are expected to engage with public institutions and legal proceedings.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
